Serving up everything from snail serums to egg white masks, it's fair to say the likes of Korea and Japan have dominated the beauty industry of late. But somewhere else is vying for our attention when it comes to skin, hair and makeup: Australia.
According to WWD, the country is now a hotbed for skincare innovation especially, as more and more consumers are becoming aware of the power of their native ingredients. And while it may seem like A-beauty has come from nowhere, game-changing brands like Alya Skin, Sand & Sky, evo and Dr. Roebuck's are making sure it becomes a household name.
"Australia has such a unique fauna and flora, that it produces some of the purest ingredients," says Sarah Hamilton, founder of Australian skincare brand, Sand & Sky. "Natural beauty is huge here at the moment because people are becoming more and more cautious about what they put on their skin. It's a trend you see everywhere right now and Australia is at the forefront. Secondly, being Australian comes with the assumption that we are friendly, laid-back, beachy and living the dream, and because of this, Australia has become really cool internationally." This is something Kim Devin, cofounder and head of sales at clean skincare brand Dr. Roebuck's seconds: "People have an affinity to the Australian lifestyle," she told R29. "It's all about living your best life."
Click through to discover the Aussie beauty products worth adding to your stash.
Made in southern Australia, this cream-to-foam cleanser harnesses the same sweet rose scent that is in the brand's bestselling facial mist (you know the one) and leaves skin just as invigorated, hydrated and soft. Unlike other foaming washes, the lather is super gentle, so your face won't feel like it might crack after rinsing.
Jurlique Radiant Skin Foaming Cleanser, £18, available at Jurlique
Cast aside the idea that 100% natural means second-rate. This herbal-scented shampoo lathers up a treat and makes hair feel squeaky clean after just one wash thanks to a megamix of botanical cleansers such as rosemary, cedar wood and lavender oil. The lack of sulphates means it's gentle on sensitive scalps and keratin-treated hair, too.
A'Kin Rosemary Shampoo, £12, available at A'Kin
The bronzing, light-reflecting particles in this body oil are super subtle and make skin look dewy, not garishly sparkly, while coconut, jojoba and grapeseed oils – known for their intensely nourishing properties – smooth away scaly patches. The sleek bottle makes it perfect for packing.
Bali Body Shimmering Body Oil, £25.95, available at Bali Body
Exclusive to Space NK, the team behind Dr. Roebuck's make it their mission to source all their ingredients in Australia because they believe in the efficacy of native-grown. This speedy mask is filled to bursting with natural alpha hydroxy acids like kakadu plum (which boasts 50 times more skin-brightening vitamin C than an orange) and jojoba oil to soften and moisturise.
Dr. Roebuck's AHA Brightening Mask, £25, available at Space NK
This exfoliating treatment is brand new from the makers of the Australian pink clay mask that went viral on Instagram last year. It contains natural exfoliators, including macadamia seed powder, and chemical exfoliators such as lactic acid, to slough away at dead dull skin on the surface. Whether you use it on your face or limbs, it has a warming effect on skin that feels pretty spa-worthy.
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Exfoliating Treatment, £34.50, available at Beauty Bay
If hair oil weighs your lengths down, swap it out for this gel-cream hybrid. A 50p-size puddle raked through damp hair has the ability to smooth and minimise the appearance of split ends, keep frizzy bits on lockdown and impart a shampoo ad shine. It smells great and works a treat on all hair types, including parched and colour-treated. Where possible, the brand opts for natural ingredients and the packaging is 100% recyclable.
evo Head Mistress Cuticle Sealer, £21, available at evo
If anyone knows how to achieve accidentally perfect, beachy hair, it's Australian women. This salt spray employs Australian sea salt to give limp lengths texture and volume, and works brilliantly as a second-day curl reviver. Simply spritz into damp hair and scrunch.
Original & Mineral Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray, £22, available at Look Fantastic
Australian-made and owned, this natural and vegan body scrub smells like a mocha. Unlike other scrubs which can be scratchy, harsh and leave skin red raw, it's much softer thanks to the addition of sweet almond and macadamia oils. Ingrown hairs, be gone.
Frank Body Cacao Coffee Scrub, £14, available at Space NK
This Australian-owned skincare brand has made waves all over the globe, the formulas are that good. Arguably one of the best products in the skincare range, this toner-cum-skin treatment uses dermatologist-loved glycolic acid to chip away at dull skin cells, unclog pores and boost hydration levels. It tingles slightly, so those with reactive skin might want to give it a miss, but the difference in skin clarity after just one week is impressive. Be sure to wear SPF 30-50 during the day, as it can make skin more sensitive to UV.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold, £31, available at QVC UK
According to Manny Barbas, founder and director of Alya Skin, Australian pink clay has brilliant anti-inflammatory properties and holds ingredients like aloe and peptides much better than other types, so the skincare benefits are maximised. This mask in particular is so satisfying to use, as you can actually see the oil pool forming on top. Bye, 3pm shine.
Alya Skin Australian Pink Clay Mask, £30, available at Beauty Bay
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